Mrs. Taps First and Second Grade class in the Barrington Garden-1995
Did you know....School gardens positively impact children's learning and behavior ?
Barrington's Garden began in the early 90's. A group of Informal teachers and parent volunteers dug up the area between the yellow pod and the baseball field. Together with the students, the garden was filled with a variety of plants. The area became an outdoor classroom where learning math, science, writing and the arts was easily incorporated. A host of parent volunteers ( Bobbie White Bender, Vickie Wolf, Teri Ziegler. Theresa Lau,and Kathy Miller to name a few) took small groups of children outside to dig, plant, explore and discover and held true to the Informal principle: Founding Principle of Progressive Education in Upper Arlington: We collaborate with parents as co-educators in meeting children's needs.
In the Spring of 2002, a partnership with Fisher Gardens rejuventated an interest in our garden. Jason Fisher donated his expertise, time and many plants . A large Butterfly Bush was planted and we began to see butterflies and other wildlife more frequently. Parents again shared their time and expertise in helping to add to the design and upkeep. Parents Linda Mennery and Dan Brown helped with the hardscape. Parent Matt Dickinson, with his knowlege on organic gardening began his tenure in the Barrington Garden. Barrington Informal Teachers join the fight against Nature Deficit Disorder!
With the inspiration of Richard Louv's 2005 acclaimed book Last Child in the Woods, the Informal program applied to the National Wildlife Federation in the fall of 2008 to make the Barrington Garden a certified wildlife habitat. The first Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day was held at Barrington and the Barrington Garden received a grant from the Trotier Fund with the Upper Arlington education Foundation.. Barrington student, Nicole Holman also designed the Barrington Garden and Habitat t-shirt! Speakers for our Habitat Day included:
Mike Seidel, from the Ohio Wildlife Center, brought an opossum, flying squirrel, and a snake to Barrington that have all been rehabilitated by the center. The Ohio Wildlife Center works to rehabilitate and conserve wildlife in our state,
Ms. Dennison, from the Ohio Department for Natural Resources, helped us to understand the adaptations of wild animals. She explained how a beaver’s adaptations help it to survive in its environment.
Mrs. Van, with Ohio Nature Education, had a captive audience as she introduced students to a barred owl that was rescued after being tangled in a soccer net. The barred owl is one of many animals that have been taken in and cared for by Ohio Nature Education.
The Upper Arlington Public Library, shared some fantastic storytelling! Kate Hastings, of UAPL, told stories that focused on plants and animals in the wild.
Naturalist and Author, Ron Hirschi Visits!
With funding by our PTO, naturalist and author, Ron Hirschi came and visited with us in April. 2009. He shared his naturalist journals and helped us to learn how to determine if an outside environment is healthy. Mr. Dickinson also worked with the soil in our garden, making it very healthy for our planting. Our garden became native. All plants added to the garden are native to Ohio.
Second Certified Wildlife Habitat Located on School Grounds
In the Fall of 2009, Principal Pam Yoder approved the second location for a certified wildlife habitat on school grounds, The area outside the pods at the corner of Northwest Blvd. and Barrington Road was designated as the Barrington Habitat. Plans for its development are still in process. Birdhouses, feeders and a water source were added.
Second Project Wildlife/Habitat Day September 2009!
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Our Second Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day found students in the garden. They went on color hunts and looked at critters in the soil. This year we also had a host of parent helpers! Kate Kallmes was a huge help in organizing volunteers for each session. Sessions for this year included:
Native American author/storyteller, James Bruchac telling legends about nature
Color Hunt in the garden led by parents Kate Kallmes and Matt Dickinson
Is Soil Alive? led by Linda Petit from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
Build Your Own Terrarium led by retired Informal teacher Sherry Goubeaux
Barrington Informal Celebrates Earth Day 2010 in the Habitat! The Jarrett family and US bank donated a Buckeye Tree to our habitat. We planted it in honor of Mrs. Benton's 4th graders. With Buckeye Bonanza ( a service learning project teamed with the Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Research Foundation) being a fourth grade tradition, this tree is a fitting addition! The entire Informal program gathered in the habitat to sing songs, read poems and celebrate Mother Earth. Mrs. O'Brochta's third graders even enjoyed a game of Capture the Flag !
Vegetable Garden Added in May, 2010
Miss Blake's 1st/2nd grade wanted to add a vegetables to our garden. In May, we used landscape paint to determine where our new section would be. Marvin and Roger from the Grounds Crew came and tilled the soil for us. We would need many hands to tend the garden over the summer, and so a new page was added to our wiki- a signup for tending the garden!
Third Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day A Success!
September 22, 2010 brought the third Project Wildlife/Habitat Day to Barrington. This year's focus was on Farmer's Market and productive gardening. Sessions this year were:
Making Garden Inspired crafts to sell
Cheryl Hyatt, a spokesperson from Upper Arlington's Parks and Recreation sharing about the UA Farmer's Market
Katie Lewis, a spokesperson from MidOhio Food Bank
UA beekeeper, Lydia Vorhees sharing the importance of honeybees in the garden
Garden stories by Kate Hastings of Upper Arlington Public Library
Making garden music by Mrs. Debbie Gibson
Painting flower pots
Barrington Habitat Benefits from The Fall Farmer's Market
Senior, Justin Boyer builds raised beds for his Upper Arlington High School Capstone ProjectBarrington Informal alumni, Justin Boyer chose helping the Barrington Garden and Habitat for his senior capstone project. Working with Barrington parent, Ted Amling, Justin designed and built 3 raised beds for the Informal classes to plant vegetables in. The grade levels chose what plants to put in each bed and divided the labor for caring for the gardens over the summer. Hopefully these beds will continue to flourish and the classes will be successful with their "Plant a Row" for MidOhio Food bank.
Barrington Informal Students Celebrate Arbor Day, 2011 The Informal program gathered again in the Habitat to celebrate Arbor Day and add another tree. The Collamore family donated the Ohio native Service Berry tree. Eli and his dad shared why they chose a Service Berry. Upper Arlington arborit, Steve Cottrill shared why planting native is so important. Mrs. Van from Ohio Nature Center joined us again and shared why trees are needed in nature. She even taught us a song!
Mrs. Taps First and Second Grade class in the Barrington Garden-1995
Did you know....School gardens positively impact children's learning and behavior ?
Barrington's Garden began in the early 90's. A group of Informal teachers and parent volunteers dug up the area between the yellow pod and the baseball field. Together with the students, the garden was filled with a variety of plants. The area became an outdoor classroom where learning math, science, writing and the arts was easily incorporated. A host of parent volunteers ( Bobbie White Bender, Vickie Wolf, Teri Ziegler. Theresa Lau,and Kathy Miller to name a few) took small groups of children outside to dig, plant, explore and discover and held true to the Informal principle: Founding Principle of Progressive Education in Upper Arlington: We collaborate with parents as co-educators in meeting children's needs.
Barrington Informal Teachers join the fight against Nature Deficit Disorder!
With the inspiration of Richard Louv's 2005 acclaimed book Last Child in the Woods, the Informal program applied to the National Wildlife Federation in the fall of 2008 to make the Barrington Garden a certified wildlife habitat. The first Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day was held at Barrington and the Barrington Garden received a grant from the Trotier Fund with the Upper Arlington education Foundation.. Barrington student, Nicole Holman also designed the Barrington Garden and Habitat t-shirt! Speakers for our Habitat Day included:
Naturalist and Author, Ron Hirschi Visits!
Second Certified Wildlife Habitat Located on School Grounds
In the Fall of 2009, Principal Pam Yoder approved the second location for a certified wildlife habitat on school grounds, The area outside the pods at the corner of Northwest Blvd. and Barrington Road was designated as the Barrington Habitat. Plans for its development are still in process. Birdhouses, feeders and a water source were added.
Second Project Wildlife/Habitat Day September 2009!
=Our Second Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day found students in the garden. They went on color hunts and looked at critters in the soil. This year we also had a host of parent helpers! Kate Kallmes was a huge help in organizing volunteers for each session. Sessions for this year included:
- Native American author/storyteller, James Bruchac telling legends about nature
- Color Hunt in the garden led by parents Kate Kallmes and Matt Dickinson
- Is Soil Alive? led by Linda Petit from Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District
- Build Your Own Terrarium led by retired Informal teacher Sherry Goubeaux
Barrington Informal Celebrates Earth Day 2010 in the Habitat!The Jarrett family and US bank donated a Buckeye Tree to our habitat. We planted it in honor of Mrs. Benton's 4th graders. With Buckeye Bonanza ( a service learning project teamed with the Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Research Foundation) being a fourth grade tradition, this tree is a fitting addition! The entire Informal program gathered in the habitat to sing songs, read poems and celebrate Mother Earth. Mrs. O'Brochta's third graders even enjoyed a game of Capture the Flag !
Vegetable Garden Added in May, 2010
Miss Blake's 1st/2nd grade wanted to add a vegetables to our garden. In May, we used landscape paint to determine where our new section would be. Marvin and Roger from the Grounds Crew came and tilled the soil for us. We would need many hands to tend the garden over the summer, and so a new page was added to our wiki- a signup for tending the garden!
Third Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day A Success!
September 22, 2010 brought the third Project Wildlife/Habitat Day to Barrington. This year's focus was on Farmer's Market and productive gardening. Sessions this year were:Barrington Habitat Benefits from The Fall Farmer's Market
Senior, Justin Boyer builds raised beds for his Upper Arlington High School Capstone ProjectBarrington Informal alumni, Justin Boyer chose helping the Barrington Garden and Habitat for his senior capstone project. Working with Barrington parent, Ted Amling, Justin designed and built 3 raised beds for the Informal classes to plant vegetables in. The grade levels chose what plants to put in each bed and divided the labor for caring for the gardens over the summer. Hopefully these beds will continue to flourish and the classes will be successful with their "Plant a Row" for MidOhio Food bank.
Barrington Informal Students Celebrate Arbor Day, 2011
The Informal program gathered again in the Habitat to celebrate Arbor Day and add another tree. The Collamore family donated the Ohio native Service Berry tree. Eli and his dad shared why they chose a Service Berry. Upper Arlington arborit, Steve Cottrill shared why planting native is so important. Mrs. Van from Ohio Nature Center joined us again and shared why trees are needed in nature. She even taught us a song!
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Fourth Annual Project Wildlife/Habitat Day All About the 3 Rs!